The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,489.50) was up more than 116 points at its intraday peak -- stopping just shy of the 17,600 level -- but pared its lead to just 6.5 points, or 0.04%, by the close. Earnings winners HD and WMT led the 11 advancing blue chips, tacking on 4.4% and 3.5%, respectively. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) paced the declining majority, giving up 1.4%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,050.44) followed a similar path -- and was briefly in the black on a year-to-date basis -- ultimately dropping 2.8 points, or 0.1%. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,986.02) made a brief foray north of 5,000, but erased nearly all of its lead, adding just 1.4 points, or 0.03%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 18.84) broke out in the final hours of trading, ending 0.7 point, or 3.7%, higher.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

Fed Chair Janet Yellen told House leaders that adopting a bill to reform the central bank would be "a grave mistake," as it would politicize interest rate decisions. The legislation is schedule for a House vote this week. (MarketWatch)

A soccer match in Germany -- with German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly scheduled to attend -- was canceled after a bomb threat. "We had concrete evidence that someone wanted to set off an explosive device in the stadium," said Volker Kluwe, Hannover police chief, not even a week after suicide bombs went off outside a friendly France-Germany soccer game. (AP, via CNBC)

Crude pulled back again today, amid re-emerging concerns about a global supply glut. By the close, December-dated oil had erased yesterday's gains, dropping $1.07, or 2.6%, to sit at $40.67 per barrel.

Gold also resumed its downtrend, pressured by a stronger dollar. Gold for December delivery gave up $15, or 1.4%, to end at $1,068.60 an ounce -- a fresh five-year low.